Paul Lansbergen is the new president of the Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC), which is composed of the country's fish farmers and fish-processing firms.

Dave Giddens, chair of the FCC board of directors, announced Lansbergen's appointment on Wednesday, Nov. 29, and said the new president's "experience and energy will enhance the role

of the Council".

"I am confident he will advance the strategic direction of the Council, deliver results and position it for the growth members want."

Lansbergen has over 20 years' experience in public policy, advocacy and association leadership.

He spent the last 15 years at the Forest Products Association of Canada, where he was appointed as acting president in 2015-2016. Prior to that, he was manager for communications at the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and a legislative assistant on Parliament Hill. He is a certified association executive and has two degrees in economics.

Lansbergen said he was proud to be joining FCC and that he looked forward to working with its members and partners on "the priorities of access to sustainable fish resources, trade and market access, while creating value for members".

"Fisheries is one of Canada's longest standing industries and remains very important to our economy, communities and middle-class Canadians", Lansbergen stressed.